The suspect who shot and killed Charlie Kirk is in custody after more than 42 hours on the run from authorities, President Donald Trump said.
“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump told Fox & Friends on Friday. The president said that “somebody close” to the suspect turned him in, before expressing “hope” that he receives the death sentence.
It appears to bring an end to a manhunt for the shooting suspect, which stretched into its third day Friday, after the conservative activist and Trump ally was fatally shot during a trademark “Prove Me Wrong” debate at a Utah college campus on Wednesday.
The FBI and Utah Department of Safety released new footage Thursday evening of a suspect leaping from a rooftop at Utah Valley University before he fled into nearby trees moments later. Officials also released several new photographs of a “person of interest” from UVU campus security video.
On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance went to Utah to accompany Kirk’s body as it was flown back to the Turning Point USA founder’s home state of Arizona.
Key points
- Breaking: Trump says he 'thinks' Kirk shooting suspect is in custody
- Law enforcement release more pictures of a 'person of interest' in Charlie Kirk shooting
- FBI released dramatic new video of Kirk shooting suspect's getaway
- Here’s what you need to know this morning
- Mapped: Tracking Kirk shooting suspect as he flees Utah Valley University
Trump says he didn't watch gory video of Kirk's death that swirled online
13:35
,
James Liddell
Donald Trump says he has not seen the harrowing video of Charlie Kirk’s death that went viral on social media, telling Fox News that he “didn’t want to remember Charlie that way.”
“I didn’t want to watch, I heard about it,” he said. “I would have never made a good doctor, let me put it that way. I mean, I heard, I heard enough – I didn’t want to watch it, I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to remember Charlie that way.
Trump calls for Kirk's killer to receive death penalty
13:30
,
James Liddell
President Trump told Fox & Friends this morning that he hopes that the suspect tied to Charlie Kicker’s shooting death receives the detah penalty.
“Well, I hope – he’s going to be found guilty, I would imagine – and I hope he gets the death penalty,” Trump said. “What he did, Charlie Kirk, he was the finest person that, he didn’t deserve this. He worked so hard and so well, everybody liked him.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox had already signaled that we would seek to condemn Kirk’s shooter.
“In Utah, they have the death penalty, and you have a very good governor there,” he continued. “The governor, I’ve gotten to know him, the governor is very intent on the death penalty in this case.”
Breaking: Trump says he 'thinks' Kirk shooting suspect is in custody
13:09
,
James Liddell
Donald Trump has told Fox & Friends that he believes the suspected shooter who killed Charlie Kirk is in custody.
“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” the president said just moments ago.
Trump said he believes that “somebody close” to the suspect turned him in.
Trump set to speak live on Fox & Friends
12:59
,
James Liddell
President Donald Trump is expected to speak live on Fox & Friends this morning, about 42 hours after his ally Charlie Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University.
Hegseth and Army sec lambast military personnel 'celebrating' Kirk killing
12:49
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James Liddell
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll have sent a stern warning to military and Department of Defense staffers who have chosen to “celebrate or mock” Charlie Kirk’s killing.
Hegseth responded Thursday to an X post by his deputy, Sean Parnell, who wrote: “It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”
Hegseth said that he is tracking the situation closely and called such comments “completely unacceptable.”
Later Thursday, Driscoll tweeted that to “celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American “ is inconsistent with Army values.
Mapped: Tracking Kirk shooting suspect as he makes his getaway
12:27
,
James Liddell
Man arrested for 'sneaking on to scene' where Kirk was killed
12:05
,
James Liddell
A man was arrested Thursday morning after sneaking into a secured area at Utah Valley University where Charlie Kirk was shot dead and taking photographs of the crime scene, officials say.
The man, who has not been publicly identified, fled on foot when authorities ordered him to stop before he was eventually apprehended, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The suspect was booked into the Utah County Jail on criminal charges of obstruction and trespassing.
Trump-supporting billionaire offers $1m for info on Kirk killer – eclipsing FBI reward tenfold
11:43
,
James Liddell
Bill Ackman, the billionaire financier and Donald Trump supporter, said that he would offer $1 million for information leading to the arrest of Charlie Kirk’s killer.
The FBI on Thursday offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.
Trump advisor Alex Bruesewitz and conservative activist Robby Starbuck said they would each add $25,000 to the FBI’s pot, which would make the total reward $150,000.
Writing early on X this morning in response to the additional $50,000 reward money pledge, Ackman wrote on X: “I am in for $1,000,000.”
Republicans call for action against Charlie Kirk critics
11:21
,
James Liddell
Republicans grieving the conservative activist Charlie Kirk are demanding action against people who reacted to his killing by “praising, rationalising, or making light” of it or by “belittling” the victim’s memory.
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, was shot dead by a sniper during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. The gunman remains at large.
The murder has rocked American politics, but Kirk’s career as an outspoken MAGA influencer with a history of making contentious comments on his podcast, conservative news channels, and at public events meant he had acquired plenty of detractors, not all of whom reacted to his death with the solemnity expected, particularly on social media.
Joe Sommerlad has the details:
Kash Patel 'lashed out' at team over Kirk investigation: 'No more Mickey Mouse operations'
11:00
,
James Liddell
Embattled FBI Director Kash Patel lashed out at subordinates after he said they failed to provide timely information on the Charlie Kirk shooting investigation and that agents in Salt Lake City waited almost 12 hours to show him images of the suspect, three sources told The New York Times.
One official claimed that Patel, who has already drawn ire for an earlier misstep claiming that the “subject” for Kirk’s killing was in custody, said he would not tolerate any more “Mickey Mouse operations.”
Usha Vances comforts Kirk's widow as coffin flown back to Arizona
10:37
,
James Liddell
JD Vance accompanied Charlie Kirk’s coffin as it was flown on the vice president’s private jet from Utah to Arizona, hours after helping carry the casket.
Upon disembarking the plane in Arizona, Second Lady Usha Vance was seen clutching the hand of Erika Kirk, a mom of two young children who was often seen by her husband’s side.
Watch: FBI releases new video of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect's getaway
10:15
,
James Liddell
In pictures: Kirk shooting suspect captured on UVU surveillance footage moments before killing
09:52
,
James Liddell
Russian and Chinese bots foment violence after Kirk death, governor says
09:30
,
James Liddell
Bots from Russia and China are working online “trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence,” exploiting the fractured political climate following Charlie Kirk’s death, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a news conference Thursday.
“I would encourage you to ignore those, to turn off those streams and to spend a little more time with our families,” he added, without elaborating on the nature of the threats.
University student saw man on roof near shooting site twice before Kirk attack
09:10
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Maroosha Muzaffar
A Utah Valley University student told CNN that he saw a man walking on or near the roof of the Losee Center twice in the past two weeks, including once a week before Charlie Kirk’s killing.
The student wasn’t sure if the man matched the suspect’s photos but said he “looked familiar”.
He told the outlet that a professor also noticed the man on the roof and called out to him.
The student said that the professor asked the man, “Hey, man, are you doing all right?” and the man on the roof “just kind of dismissed what he said”.
Here’s what you need to know this morning
08:50
,
James Liddell
As the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer enters its third day, here’s what you need to know this morning:
- Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist and Donald Trump ally, died Wednesday while speaking to a 3,000-person crowd at a “Prove me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University
- The Utah Department of Public Safety, which is jointly leading the investigation with the FBI, said Thursday that they have “no idea” whether Kirk’s killer is still in Utah
- The FBI released new footage of a shooting suspect jumping off a roof at Utah Valley University, near where Kirk was fatally shot in the neck
- The bureau also released several new photographs of the “person of interest” from campus security video, and is now offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to his identification and arrest
- Authorities said in an earlier news conference Thursday that they found a high-caliber, bolt-action rifle in the woods and identified the suspect as likely being “college age”
- Vice President JD Vance accompanied Kirk's body as it was flown back to his home state of Arizona
- Trump, along with elected officials on both sides of the aisle, paid tribute to Kirk and condemned the attack and denounced acts of political violence
Senator demands firing of Secret Service agent over Facebook post on Kirk’s assassination
08:45
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Maroosha Muzaffar
Senator Marsha Blackburn demanded the immediate firing of a Secret Service agent who allegedly posted on Facebook that Charlie Kirk “deserved” to be assassinated.
Blackburn (R-Tenn.) accused the agent of trying to justify political violence and called on the agency to “root out the rot”.
As our nation mourns the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, a rogue @SecretService agent posted on Facebook suggesting that he deserved to be murdered. I am calling for this agent’s immediate termination. It's time to root out the rot in the Secret Service. pic.twitter.com/ZAcppfA605
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) September 12, 2025
“As our nation mourns the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk… I am calling for this agent’s immediate termination. It’s time to root out the rot in the Secret Service,” she wrote on X.
Authorities have 'no idea' whether Charlie Kirk's killer is still in Utah
08:25
,
James Liddell
Beau Mason, the Utah Department of Public Safety commissioner, said authorities have “no idea” whether Charlie Kirk’s killer is still in Utah, as the manhunt enters its third day.
When probed by NBC News whether Kirk’s suspected shooter may still be close to Utah Valley University, the site of Wednesday’s shooting, or even within state lines, Mason replied: “We have no idea.”
The DPS and FBI are leading the investigation to track down a suspect.
“We’re exploring leads for individuals that live close by,” he continued. “We literally have persons of interest, tips coming in on the tip line, that are spanning far and wide.”
FBI analyzing rifle recovered from area where shooter fled
08:00
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Maroosha Muzaffar
A high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter fled, and FBI experts are now analyzing it.
Investigators have also collected a footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints for forensic analysis.
In a statement, authorities said: “There are reportedly photos of a weapon and various details about that firearm and ammunition, including inscriptions and symbols. At this time, we are not able to provide further details on the content of those inscriptions.
“Additionally, we are not able to confirm individual photos’ authenticity, as those photos were not released by law enforcement. We are not confirming further details at this time.”
Liberal TikToker who questioned Kirk at the Utah event speaks out
07:30
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Maroosha Muzaffar
Hunter Kozak, a liberal TikToker, was the last person to speak with Charlie Kirk before Kirk’s assassination at a rally in Utah.
“I wanted to challenge him,” he told The New York Times. “He went with arms open to say, ‘Challenge me, please.’”
Standing just feet away when the gunshot occurred, Kozak initially mistook it for a firecracker before realizing Kirk had been shot.
“I saw blood spurt,” he said. “I dropped to the floor.”
“As much as I disagree with Charlie, I appreciate that’s what he centered his campaign on — freedom of speech,” Mr. Kozak said.
“I disagree vehemently with thousands of things that Charlie Kirk has said,” he said.
“He is also a human being.”
“That’s a dad,” he continued. “The fact that a son is growing up without a father — that is inexcusable.”
More than 7,000 tips and leads received following Kirk's fatal shooting
07:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Utah governor Spencer Cox said that over 7,000 tips and leads have been received in connection to Charlie Kirk’s assassination – more than the FBI received after the Boston Marathon bombing.
He praised the collaboration of 20 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together and noted that nearly 200 interviews have been conducted.
“More than anything, we are going to catch this person,” he said.
“Last thing I will just say is we’ve been working with our attorneys, getting everything that we need affidavits ready. So that we can pursue the death penalty in this case. And that will happen here in the state of Utah.”
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information.
Cox attributes misinformation related to Kirk to ‘bots from Russia, China’
06:30
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Utah governor Spencer Cox warned of widespread disinformation surrounding the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, particularly due to “bots from Russia, China”.
He said: “I think Charlie said it best that when, when things get bad, we should put our phones down and spend a little time with our families. There is a tremendous amount of disinformation that we are tracking.”
“What we’re seeing is our adversaries want violence,” he added. “We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence.”
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect filmed fleeing the scene
06:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
DC Comics cancels just-released comic book series after author's comments about Charlie Kirk’s death
05:30
,
Rhian Lubin
DC Comics has canceled a comic book series after its author made “hostile” comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination on social media.
Writer Gretchen Felker-Martin’s “Red Hood” comic book series had just been released by the publisher, but DC Comics pulled the plug following Felker-Martin’s social media posts on BlueSky, which have since been deleted, and the account is now deactivated.
“Hope the bullet’s OK,” Felker-Martin allegedly posted after the shooting.
The author, who identifies as transgender, also allegedly referred to Kirk as a “Nazi b****” in another deleted post.
Kirk was outspoken about his anti-transgender views.
He argued against gender-affirming care for transgender people and insisted there are only two genders, sporting a T-shirt at one Arizona rally last year that read: “xy = man.”
“At DC Comics, we place the highest value on our creators and community and affirm the right to peaceful, individual expression of personal viewpoints,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement to CNN.
“Posts or public comments that can be viewed as promoting hostility or violence are inconsistent with DC’s standards of conduct.”
FBI releases campus security footage screenshots of the shooter
05:00
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The FBI has released screenshots from campus security footage of the potential shooter involved in the murder of Charlie Kirk.
They are offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.
In a press statement, the Utah Department of Public Safety said: “Screenshots of the potential shooter have been released to the public. These screenshots were pulled from campus security footage just prior to the shooting.”
Watch: Trump shares update on hunt for 'animal' who killed Charlie Kirk
04:00
,
Rhian Lubin
Governor warns of bots from Russia and China 'trying to encourage violence'
03:24
,
Rhian Lubin
Utah Governor Spencer Cox also warned of bots from Russia and China, that were “trying to encourage violence” on social media.
“What we're seeing is our adversaries want violence. We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world, that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence. I would encourage you to ignore those.”
WATCH: New footage shows suspect casually leaving the crime scene
03:19
,
Rhian Lubin
Utah’s public safety commissioner Beau Mason showed a new video at tonight’s media briefing.
It showed the suspect on the roof of the college building after the shot was fired.
The suspect goes to the edge of the building and scales down the side, before jumping to the ground.
The person is then seen breaking into a run across the grass by the parking lot, before slowing to a walk.
Cox: 'We are going to catch this person'
03:03
,
Rhian Lubin
Cox says that authorities will catch Kirk’s killer.
“More than anything, we are going to catch this person,” the governor said.
He added that authorities have been working with attorneys “getting everything they need ready” so that they can pursue the death penalty.
“That will happen here in the state of Utah,” said a defiant Cox.
The briefing has concluded.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - 'We need as much help as we can possibly get'
02:59
,
Rhian Lubin
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said that law enforcement needs “as much help as we can possibly get” in tracking down Charlie Kirk’s killer as the manhunt continues.
Cox praised the public for sending in tips and urged them to continue to do so.
The governor also told reporters that officials at today’s briefing will not be taking any questions.
Utah officials share a video of the suspect climbing down from the roof after shooting
02:56
,
Rhian Lubin
Utah’s public safety commissioner Beau Mason is sharing a video of the suspect scaling down from the roof of the college building after the shooting, before running away.
The suspect runs across the grass, through a parking lot, and moves over into a wooded area.
They are showing the images released earlier.
Press conference about to begin
02:50
,
Rhian Lubin
The delayed press conference is about to begin, we’re told.
We’ll bring you the updates as they come in.
In pictures: People attend a vigil for Kirk at Orem City Center Park
02:35
,
Rhian Lubin
People attended a vigil for Charlie Kirk this evening at Orem City Center Park where they paid their respects to the MAGA figure.
Press conference to begin imminently
02:25
,
Rhian Lubin
We’re waiting for law enforcement officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, to provide an update on the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer.
The suspect has not yet been identified and remains at large more than 24 hours after the murder.
Patel will join Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge at the Salt Lake City field office, and Beau Mason, Utah’s public safety commissioner.
The news conference is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.
Stay with us for the latest developments.
Trump gets mixed reactions as he attends game for 9/11 commemoration
02:15
,
Rachel Dobkin
The president was back in New York on Thursday for a Yankee game set to commemorate September 11th, and received a decidedly more positive reception than his last visit to the city less than a week earlier.
But there was still a chorus of boos some would say was typical of Yankee Stadium and its notorious crowds, which buffeted the president’s section in opposition to chants of “USA! USA!” that broke out from his supporters.
Trump’s attendance at Thursday’s game between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers was his second event of the day in commemoration of the deadly September 11th terrorist attacks in Washington and New York; earlier, he spoke at the Pentagon where he remarked about the murder of a conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, who was close with many in Trumpworld including Vice President JD Vance and the president’s eldest son, Donald Jr.
Read more from John Bowden:
Video: Second Lady holds hands with Kirk's widow after landing in Arizona
02:00
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Rhian Lubin
Second Lady Usha Vance held the hand of Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, while she disembarked Air Force Two late afternoon Thursday, as her husband’s casket was taken off the plane.
JUST IN: Erika Kirk and Usha Vance hold hands as they step off Air Force Two with Charlie Kirk’s casket arriving in Arizona. pic.twitter.com/SR4adhSbe1
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 12, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel and Utah officials due to hold press conference tonight
01:48
,
Rhian Lubin
FBI Director Kash Patel is due to join Utah law enforcement officials at a press conference this evening.
The briefing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT and we’ll bring you the details as they come in.
Patel has arrived at the crime scene at the Utah Valley University campus to tour the site.
JD Vance and wife Usha pictured stepping off Air Force Two with Charlie Kirk's widow
01:33
,
Rhian Lubin
Vice President JD Vance and the Second Lady Usha Vance have been pictured deplaning Air Force Two as they comfort Erika Kirk, the widow of slain Charlie Kirk.
Vance and his wife escorted Erika Kirk from Salt Lake City, Utah back home to Phoenix, Arizona, with Kirk’s casket.
Clearer images released by officials show person of interest on security camera
01:25
,
Rhian Lubin
The Utah Department of Public Safety has tonight released more images of the person of interest in connection with Charlie Kirk’s murder.
Here’s a closer look at what they’ve just put out on social media:
BREAKING: Utah authorities release new images of person of interest
01:22
,
Rhian Lubin
We're releasing additional photos of the person of interest in connection with the murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Please send all tips available to: https://t.co/XXzYBH1GkE pic.twitter.com/DgLOlrU6Cx
— Utah Public Safety (@UtahDPS) September 12, 2025
Person of interest yet to be named
01:20
,
Rachel Dobkin
The person of interest in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has yet to be named.
Heidi Hatch, anchor for Utah CBS affiliate KUTV, previously reported law enforcement had a name for their person of interest. But she later said the Utah Department of Public Safety told her that is actually not the case.
FBI Director Kash Patel arrives in Utah
01:12
,
Rachel Dobkin
FBI Director Kash Patel just arrived at the Charlie Kirk murder scene in Utah.
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) September 12, 2025
Turning Point shares video of JD Vance carrying Charlie Kirk's coffin
Friday 12 September 2025 00:50
,
Rachel Dobkin
Tyler Bowyer, the chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, has shared a video of Vice President JD Vance carrying Charlie Kirk’s coffin onto Air Force Two.
“Thank you for bringing our hero home @VP@JDVance,” Bowyer wrote. “We are so grateful for you.”
Kirk’s coffin is being transported to his home in Arizona.
Thank you for bringing our hero home @VP @JDVance.
— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) September 11, 2025
We are so grateful for you. pic.twitter.com/h5kZgJ2zTd
MAGA Rep. Anna Paulina Luna calls for Charlie Kirk statue in the Capitol
Friday 12 September 2025 00:35
,
Rhian Lubin
A group of conservatives, led by Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to commission a statue of Charlie Kirk in the U.S. Capitol following his assassination.
“This is not a symbolic gesture, but a permanent testament to his life's work, his courage, and his sacrifice,” the letter, signed by 12 other members of Congress, read. “It will stand as a reminder that political disagreement must never be answered with violence, and that the fight for truth must carry on.”
Mike Bedigan reports.
What we know about Kirk's right-wing organization
Friday 12 September 2025 00:20
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Rhian Lubin, Joe Sommerlad
- Kirk was the 31-year-old founder of the right-wing political organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
- He was an 18-year-old Chicago college dropout and Ronald Reagan admirer when he founded the organization in 2012.
- TPUSA, a grassroots movement promoting conservative values in educational institutions, grew significantly by embracing the ascent of Donald Trump and now has a presence at 3,500 institutions.
- T
